News

Planned Parenthood on Medicaid chopping block, SNAP work requirements move in House

The Florida Legislature may be poised to copy federal law and ban Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

The Florida Legislature may be poised to copy federal law and ban Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood.

News

DeSantis administration sued over changes to AIDS program

The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors estimates that more than 16,000 patients in Florida will lose coverage because of this change in department policy

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

News

‘Elevated arsenic levels’ found in more than half of candy tested, DeSantis says

More than 60% of candy tested contained elevated arsenic levels that, consumed over time, could put children at an increased risk of cancer

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix January 27, 2026January 27, 2026

News

Vaccinations still required, but parents can opt out more easily under bill

Senate Bill 1756 would allow Florida pharmacists to provide ivermectin to adults without a prescription

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix January 27, 2026January 27, 2026

News

‘Reproductive freedom’ bills would revive access to abortion care in Florida

The bills would eliminate Florida’s restrictive six-week abortion ban and other laws limiting abortion access

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix January 24, 2026January 26, 2026

Florida News

Smoking pot in public banned under bill moving in Florida Senate

The bill would revise Florida laws that prohibit smoking and vaping of tobacco in public spaces to also prohibit smoking or vaping of a marijuana

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix January 21, 2026January 21, 2026

News

Florida finds heavy metals in more than half of baby formulas tested

The state says the testing results show that the heavy metals included mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmium.

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix January 9, 2026January 9, 2026

News

Florida bill takes aim at anti-vax discrimination, ivermectin access

Holcomb’s bill would add “vaccine status” to the list of reasons protected in law why patients cannot be discriminated against

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

News

Florida Supreme Court ruling could allow children to have three parents

The ruling on assisted reproduction methods raises a new complication for couples seeking to have kids with outside help

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix January 5, 2026January 5, 2026

News

AI ‘Bill of Rights’ filed in the Florida Senate

SB 482 would ban minors from access artificial intelligence chatbot accounts

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

News

DeSantis’ proposed budget changes how Florida funds cancer programs

The push is likely to spark another largely behind-the-scenes battle among those who rely on the state money to help with research programs

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

News

Hearings to repeal Florida’s school vaccine mandates begin

Ladapo made the call to get rid of all vaccine mandates even though many of those mandates have been considered a public health success

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

Florida News

In Orlando, DeSantis proposes $117B budget that bans ‘social justice’ efforts

“Today I announced the ‘Floridians First’ Budget, which will keep Florida on the course of fiscal responsibility and delivers on the priorities that have made Florida the greatest state in America.”

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix and Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

News

DeSantis administration: We need another $50M to cover SNAP costs

The additional money is needed as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill and Congress’ decision to reduce spending on SNAP

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix December 4, 2025December 4, 2025

News

Fetal wrongful death bill ready for House floor vote

“By moving this bill forward, politicians are inviting irreparable harm to pregnant patients and deepening Florida’s maternal healthcare system crisis.”

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix December 3, 2025December 3, 2025